India, Russia to discuss Afghanistan Friday
By IANSTuesday, March 9, 2010
NEW DELHI - Nearly two weeks after the deadly terror attack in Kabul that killed 7 Indians, India and Russia Friday will discuss the volatile situation in Afghanistan and the implications of a reconciliation deal with the Taliban for regional stability.
The situation in Afghanistan will be among a cluster of regional and global issues Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will discuss with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
“Russia and India have common concerns. Both agree on the need for strong international cooperation against international terrorism,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters here Thursday.
He was responding to a question on the possibilities of increased cooperation between India and Russia in Afghanistan.
Both sides will like to see rapid rehabilitation and return of normalcy in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said.
Russia appreciates India’s efforts in Afghanistan, he added, while alluding to $1.3 billion aid New Delhi has pledged for the reconstruction of the violence-torn country.
Putin lands there Thursday night on a visit lasting less than 24 hours.
The two sides are also likely to discuss the implications of the proposal endorsed at the Jan 28 London conference for reintegrating the Taliban in the political mainstream of Afghanistan for the security of the two countries.
Both India and Russia are wary of accommodating the Taliban in any power-sharing arrangement in Afghanistan and have resented any distinction between the so-called good and bad Taliban.
The two countries have been inching closer in their assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and believe that the Taliban are linked to Al Qaeda and pose a threat to regional stability and security.
Both India and Russia had backed the Northern Alliance that ousted the Taliban regime late 2001 and are opposed to any arrangement that may lead to the Taliban reclaiming power in Afghanistan.
Last month, national security advisers of the two countries met in New Delhi to expand counter-terror cooperation in which the situation in Afghanistan figured prominently.
